“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. ” ~ Alvin Toffler I often think about that phrase, “What got you here won’t get you there.” It’s a powerful reminder that you can’t rest on your accomplishments for long. SomeoneContinue reading “Learn to Unlearn”
Category Archives: Entrepreneurship
Hell Yeah! or No Works
I read Derek Sivers’ mantra years ago, “Either ‘Hell Yeah!’ or ‘no.” It’s a fantastic way to live and do business. Most things don’t work out. And a lot of time, money and relational equity can be wasted when taking on what appears to be good projects or endeavors, but they are not necessarily the bestContinue reading “Hell Yeah! or No Works”
Find the Few and Disregard the Many
A few projects matter. So do a few relationships and a few tools. It’s so easy to simply accumulate stuff and throw horsepower into everything. While thinking that should cover over any deficiencies, what is often hidden is the cost in the form of waste, unclarity and management overhead. We don’t have unlimited attention, resourcesContinue reading “Find the Few and Disregard the Many”
For Those Who Can’t Do
My kids and I love that Jack Black movie, School of Rock. The other day, we were laughing at a line that Black’s character, Dewey Finn, made a group of his colleagues roll with in a lunchroom scene, “Those that can’t do, teach, and those that can’t teach… teach gym.” Too funny. We live in a worldContinue reading “For Those Who Can’t Do”
Design the Customer Journey
Yes, I understand you want money. You want people to buy now. The temptation to simply expect and demand cash is so high and blinding that it’s hard for a seller to see why money becomes elusive. In some cases when the pain is high – root canals, broken transmissions, fallen bridges – the customerContinue reading “Design the Customer Journey”
Be Personal in Networking But Don’t Take Things Personally
How much value do you add? That’s the key question I ask each day when I am out in the world of business. It may not be a perfect question, but the free market is open. People are free to make decisions on their own on what they value. You are valuable when you canContinue reading “Be Personal in Networking But Don’t Take Things Personally”
Routine Sets You Free
Your routines set you up for performance, creativity and peace of mind. We have this long road ahead to accomplish projects that matter day in and day out. And if we simply go with the randomness and urgencies of the day, we don’t win the long game. We are at the mercy of many thingsContinue reading “Routine Sets You Free”
I Like the Boring Business
When it comes to business building, I like boring. I like creating outputs from inputs. I like throughput. Drama, inconsistencies, high stress and heroics are fantastic for movie plots. But they don’t contribute positively to profit and loss in a business. Boring helps cash flow. Cash flow makes customers, vendors, employees, and owners happy. IContinue reading “I Like the Boring Business”
Overcoming The Valley of Death in Growing Businesses
The idea of growing a business is romantic. That spirit of entrepreneurship, leadership and scaling have a wonderful image of adventure and nobility. In the trenches, when a firm decides they want to grow, it is messy. It is hard work day in and day out to get the strategy clear and the people andContinue reading “Overcoming The Valley of Death in Growing Businesses”
Instead of Complaining Become Better
One of the sobering and honest parts about the marketplace is that you might try any philosophy or approach you like, but it may not work. Your great intention does not necessarily mean that others have to go along. That can be quite a shocking realization for a generation that may have been given andContinue reading “Instead of Complaining Become Better”
